Philly's Market Street Bridge

Philadelphia, Pennslyvania: 7/20/08 - 7/25/08
Total Spaces Registered: 12

Grades: 9 to 12 Price: $248.00 per individual

In Philadelphia—Pennsylvania’s largest city—you’ll find a unique blend of history and progress. This charming city offers numerous parks, gardens and historical and cultural landmarks. While the city has plenty of activities for tourists to enjoy, it also has great need for your ministry, particularly among the poor and homeless. Your group will partner with local ministries in Philadelphia to serve and love others through outreach to children and the homeless.

Demographics

Philadelphia, also called the “City of Brotherly Love,” is the second largest city on the East Coast and the fifth largest in the U.S. Approximately 1.4 million people live in the city, and the five-county region is home to 3.8 million. Philadelphia is located between two rivers, the Delaware and the Schuylkill, and is a two-hour drive from New York City. It was the site of some of the most significant events of early-American history, including the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Today, much or the city’s history can be explored at Independence National Historical Park, which includes Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell Center and the National Constitution Center. Federal statistics indicate the racial make-up of Philadelphia is primarily white (45 percent), African-American (43.2 percent) and Asian (5.5. percent). Despite growth and economic progress in Philadelphia over the years, there still are those who face a daily struggle with poverty. About 23 percent of the population lives below the poverty line, including 31 percent of those under age 18. And on any given day in Philadelphia, approximately 6,500 people are homeless. Sixty percent of the homeless population are families. These are the people who have a special need for the encouragement and hope that Christ’s love offers. Come serve Philly residents and, at the same time, experience a defining moment in your own life.

About the Ministry

Our goal is to help meet the needs of the residents of this community by leading our own ministry projects, as well as by providing support and volunteers to already existing social service organizations. Participants will run a Kids Club - a hands-on afternoon program led by your youth, offering high-energy games, crafts, skits, songs and interactive lessons all designed to help kids learn about Jesus. Groups will also work alongside numerous social service organizations to support children ministries, the elderly and the homeless. Depending on the organization that we partner with, you may be at a specific site the entire week or partner with a couple of organizations on a rotational basis. Your group will be mixed with the youth from other groups for their week of service. Because other churches will be joining you on your mission adventure, and because of the unique and varying needs of the ministries that we partner with, we cannot confirm until all groups arrive on site exactly what ministries your youth will be involved with. We ask that you come to serve with a willing and flexible spirit.